New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog

A 51-year-old Newark woman pleaded guilty to a third-degree charge of receiving stolen property. She admitted to being involved in a conspiracy with a former employee of the City of Newark to steal from the federally funded WIC (Women, Infants and Children) nutrition program through fraudulent vouchers. According to a jacksonnjonline.com article, the state will suggest that the woman be sentenced to a term of probation under her plea agreement. Her sentencing is set for March 3, 2010.

The article also discusses that an ongoing investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau determined that between December 1, 2005, and January 31, 2007, over $1 million was to be issued in fake vouchers by the accused individuals. The investigation started when the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services and the Newark Department of Health and Human Services warned the Division of Criminal Justice about suspected voucher thefts from the Newark WIC Program. As a consequence, the former WIC employee was sentenced in 2009 to eight years in state prison for second-degree official misconduct for his part in the scheme.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Fraud , Legal Information , White Collar Crime

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An article from nj.com discusses the recent guilty plea of a 60-year-old accountant to embezzling $1 million in cash and stock from Bel Fuse, Inc. The man was a senior accountant for the Jersey City firm which manufactures telecommunications equipment. Based on the article, in pleading guilty on November 19, 2009 to wire fraud charges in federal court in Trenton, the accountant now faces up to 33 months in prison under the conditions of his agreement with prosecutors. However, judges are not limited to such agreements and have wide discretion when imposing the man’s sentence, which is scheduled to be handed down on February 18, 2010.

Apparently, the accountant took 30,000 shares of stock and $500,000 from the retirement, stock-option and profit sharing plans of Bel Fuse, Inc. The certified public accountant was in charge of managing the Bel Fuse, Inc. day-to-day stock options plan, 401(k) plan, and profit-sharing plan. After it was discovered that he was illegally transferring stock to himself and inflating his contributions to the company’s 401(k) and profit-sharing plans, he was fired during a routine audit. During the recent hearing, the man also admitted to illegally transferring 2,000 shares of stock into a brokerage account regulated by his son who was not an employee of Bel Fuse.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , White Collar Crime

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A 37-year-old Manchester man has admitted to stealing $880K over a four-year timeframe from a Carteret trucking and warehousing company. According to an nj.com article, the man pleaded guilty in New Brunswick to one count of second-degree theft. The man worked for the company as a computer technician for seven years. In being arrested earlier this year, the man had not yet been indicted. Since he pleaded guilty, the man gave up his right to a grand jury proceeding.

Apparently, the man entered his plea on November 17, 2009 and the Superior Court Judge addressing his case set the man’s sentencing date for February 22, 2010. In negotiating a plea agreement, the accused man faces a sentence of seven years in state prison. He will also have to reimburse FMI Inc. approximately $126,600 to cover its losses because he used a company credit card for personal expenses amounting to $150,880.97. Furthermore, the man is also charged with buying computer equipment worth $729,550.57, re-selling the materials, and keeping the profits for himself.

Although the man in this particular case pleaded guilty to the charges against him, doing so is not applicable in every criminal case. It is advisable for anyone considering entering a plea agreement for a white collar crime to first speak with a skilled New Jersey white collar crime attorney. White collar crimes in New Jersey are very serious offenses that may pertain to the following:

• Extortion


• Credit card fraud


• Money laundering


• Forgery


• Embezzlement


• Perjury


• Internet fraud

Continue reading "Carteret Company $880K Theft Case Unfolds" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Theft/Shoplifting , White Collar Crime

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The recent sentence of the former chief financial officer of Lincoln Park reflects the severe consequences of being convicted of official misconduct. Two years ago, New Jersey Attorney General guidelines were toughened regarding official misconduct charges, making it so that a convicted offender would have to serve a minimum sentence of five years without parole. Not having the opportunity of parole is a devastating penalty indeed. The former chief financial officer was sentenced under this exact guideline on September 22, 2009. According to an article, the 59-year-old man pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree official misconduct. He was originally charged with six counts of official misconduct and theft and could have been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

The convicted man’s attorney stated that the new guidelines for a minimum sentence for official misconduct “strips defense attorneys, persecutors and judges of their roles of being able to treat cases individually on their merits and tailor just resolutions.” The attorney makes a valid point, particularly since the offenses committed by his client allegedly took place before the new guidelines were put into effect.

Continue reading "Former Chief Financial Officer Sentenced for Stealing $21,000 from Lincoln Park " »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Legal Information , White Collar Crime

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Although since 2001 New Jersey has witnessed more than 130 public officials plead guilty or be convicted of corruption, the recent June 23, 2009 report of 44 individuals being arrested as part of a money laundering ring is quite shocking. Not only has a New Jersey governor’s cabinet member resigned, but three mayors, two state legislators, and several rabbis were taken into custody. The very detailed investigation will continue as the vast corruption of trafficking goods ranging from human organs to false designer handbags reveals itself.

Head of the FBI’s “white-collar and public corruption investigation” division stated, “New Jersey’s corruption problem is one of the worst, if not the worst, in the nation…corruption is a cancer that is destroying the core values of this state.”

Within the many arrests made, some of the charges brought against New Jersey officials included posing as a developer and gaining permits and approvals through accepting significantly large sums, conspiracy to commit extortion in illegal campaign contributions, and accepting cash bribes. The charged group as a whole is alleged to have laundered up to as much as tens of millions of dollars through charities managed by rabbis in New Jersey and New York.

Money laundering in New Jersey is a serious type of white-collar crime that can greatly jeopardize an accused person’s reputation, much as it will undoubtedly affect the public officials facing these charges, most facing lengthy jail time and heavy fines. Earning back the public’s trust, even if you were only accused yet not convicted of corruption, is something that can take decades to take place, if it even happens at all.

Continue reading "New Jersey Money Laundering Ring, 44 Arrests Made" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Money Laundering , White Collar Crime

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A Fair Haven financial adviser is facing charges for federal wire fraud in New Jersey for allegedly cheating his clients out of more than $7 million according to this report. Prosecutors investigating the case claim that Maxwell Smith promised his investors returns of up to 9 percent on investments in health care facilities. They claim that Smith deposited investors’ funds into his own bank account instead of investing them and used some of the funds to pay interest to his clients.

A New Jersey judge recently froze Smith’s assets after a lawsuit was filed by a Hanover man who claimed he had lost $9 million in the alleged investment scheme. Smith remains free after posting a $1 million bail, but faces up to 20 years in a New Jersey state prison if convicted on the wire fraud charges.

A wire fraud conviction can result in more than a lengthy prison sentence. Those convicted of wire fraud also face steep fines, probation, the loss of professional licenses, the inability to obtain certain types of jobs, and a permanent mark on their record. Frequently, people under investigation for wire fraud and other white collar crimes know that they are under investigation before any charges are formally filed. If you or someone you care for believes they are under investigation or about to be arrested for a white collar crime, it is very important to contact the skilled New Jersey white collar crime lawyers at criminal defense law firm Lependorf & Silverstein as soon as possible.

By being proactive, you enable their New Jersey white collar crime attorneys to launch an immediate investigation into the charges and begin building a vigorous defense against the charges. To schedule a free consultation with experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorneys, call criminal defense law firm Lependorf & Silverstein today at 609-240-0040.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Fraud , White Collar Crime

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A recent report from the Fort Mill Times claims that a New Jersey public works official has admitted accepting as much as $70,000 in bribes from contractors seeking favorable rulings on city contracts. Tommaso Calautti, 44, of New Milford pled guilty recently to accepting payoffs from three contractors from May 2003 to July 2008. He faces numerous charges for misusing his influence as New Milford’s project coordinator and engineer by committing white collar crimes in New Jersey.

Calautti’s attorney claims that his client is a good man who gave in to temptation. If convicted on all charges, Calautti could be sentenced to serve a maximum of 20 years in prison and pay up to $250,000 in fines. He was released on $100,000 bail while he awaits sentencing. Unless the defendant admits guilt, prosecuting New Jersey bribery cases can be difficult. Proving guilt is especially difficult if the defendant receives legal counsel from experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorneys who conduct a thorough investigation into the charges and work hard on their clients’ behalf.

For well over fifteen years, the New Jersey criminal defense lawyers at Lependorf & Silverstein have vigorously defended clients accused of bribery and other alleged acts of malfeasance, and that experience can be a key asset for anyone facing bribery charges. If you learn that you, a friend, or family member is under investigation for any criminal charges, it is essential to contact skilled Princeton criminal defense lawyers as quickly as possible. This allows them to launch an immediate investigation into the charges and start working on a defense right away. To schedule a free consultation with experienced New Jersey criminal defense lawyers who will work hard on their clients’ behalf, call Lependorf & Silverstein today at 609.240.0040.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , White Collar Crime

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An Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, man has been sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison for an accounting fraud scandal, which apparently artificially propped up the stock price of insurer American International Group Inc. According to this news report, Christopher Garand, who served as a senior vice president at Gen Re, was also fined $150,000 and will be under two years of supervised release after the term ends for his role in the case. The 61-year-old Garand is one of five former executives convicted on fraud and conspiracy charges in February 2008.

Being charged with fraud in New Jersey can be a complicated criminal offense. Criminal fraud charges can be brought either against individuals or a business. The penalties for fraud, as seen in this particular case, can range from heavy fines and probation to lengthy prison terms. The stigma attached to a fraud charge or a white collar crime can destroy a business' or an individual's reputation.

If you find out that you are being investigated for fraud, it is very important that you call a reputed and experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The aggressive and skilled attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein take a proactive approach to fraud cases and can sometimes get your case dismissed even before you are indicted. Our goal is to save your most valuable business asset – your reputation – before it gets tarnished and dragged through the court system. If you have been accused of a white collar crime in New Jersey, please contact Lependorf & Silverstein for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Fraud , White Collar Crime

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